Total pages in book: 91
Estimated words: 86167 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 431(@200wpm)___ 345(@250wpm)___ 287(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 86167 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 431(@200wpm)___ 345(@250wpm)___ 287(@300wpm)
She turned away to find August just inside the door. “You didn’t see her?” she asked. “The princess? She was so bright for that moment. She had her baby with her.” She walked toward him, then ran to his outstretched arms and burst into tears. “She had her baby with her, August.”
“I didn’t see her, love, but I know you did. It’s all right. Everything is all right.”
“She misses her husband. She really misses him. She loved him so much.” She babbled out the princess’s words like some sort of madwoman as she cried. “She tries to get him to see her, but he won’t see.”
“Shh.” He held her, caressing her hair. “Be calm, love. You must not become upset in your condition.”
“Oh.” She pulled away and looked up at him through her tears. “She said there were two babies, not one. She said I would birth them well, that they would be healthy and…” A few more sobs escaped. “And that we would live long, h-happy lives together.”
“I could have told you that.” He smiled at her, wiping the tears from her cheeks. “But I’m glad to have it confirmed.”
“Am I losing my mind, or am I able to talk to ghosts now?” She rested her head against August’s chest, listening for the soothing beat of his heart.
“I believe it’s called ‘communing with the dead,’” he teased, reminding her of the king’s request. “And as long as it doesn’t make you fearful, I suppose no harm is done by it.”
“I was not fearful. She shone so. She was beautiful. I—I just wasn’t sure what to say. How to help.”
“Perhaps it was not help she needed. Perhaps it was only to be seen and heard once more in this world.”
Elizabeth turned back to the rocking chair, now empty. All mystical energy and lingering vibrancy were gone. A glance about the room showed the toys had disappeared from the floor, put back in their dust-covered toy box as if it had never been tipped over.
“She said I must give Felicity her apology, that she was sorry to have worried her. And then, oh goodness…” She clung to her husband. “Then I am ready to go home.”
*
August looked on as Elizabeth furtively, quietly relayed Princess Charlotte’s message to Felicity. To his relief, she believed without question or ridicule.
“Thank God for your gifts,” Felicity said, embracing his wife. “I’ll watch my children much more closely from now on.”
“You mustn’t be anxious,” said Elizabeth. “Nino was always safe. Even without me, he would have been found at some point.”
“Only after I suffered extensive hysterics. No, my dear, you have been heroic. You must accept your just praise.”
Prince Carlo embraced her too and invited them to visit Tuscany the next time they traveled. They agreed they would, then circulated through the crowds to find their friends and family and bid them goodbye.
August noticed that people were staring again, regarding his wife with questioning gazes, but it was a different sort of question. Admiring, rather than condemning. How did she find the poor child when no one else could? Are her gifts given by the Savior himself?
He took his wife home and lay down in bed with her, and let her pour out her overflowing feelings, all her thoughts about her encounter with Charlotte’s apparition. It’s unbelievable, she said, but do you believe me?
Yes, he believed her. He had not one doubt.
“I only wish I could have seen her, too,” he said once Elizabeth had calmed. “I would have asked if these babies inside you are boys or girls.”
“Oh, you’re teasing now.” She nestled closer against him. “Yes, I should have thought to ask. Do you really think there are two?”
“My sisters were twins, you know. Isabella and Constance.”
“That’s right. And Constance had twins a couple years ago. Twin girls, again. So perhaps we know what we’ve got.”
“Perhaps. Girls would be lovely. Or boys.”
Elizabeth frowned. “I should have asked. Now we’ve a long time to wait to find out.”
“Charlotte might visit you again, Lisbet. She seemed to have much to talk about.”
“She’s welcome to visit as much as she likes, but not this evening.”
“Why not this evening?”
She put her arms around his shoulders with a sweet, come-hither smile. “Because I have other plans.”
“Dear girl, after the day you’ve had? And we’ve not taken our dinner yet. You’re eating for two now. No, three!”
“We’ve been eating all day at the palace.” Her charming smile turned downright flirtatious. “You can eat me up instead.”
He went instantly hard. By God, she tempted him, but she was in the family way…
“Perhaps we should consult the midwife first. Or consult a doctor.”
“Oh no.” She took his face between her hands, scowling at his contemplative expression. “Rosalind said this would happen. She said husbands become afraid to touch their wives when they’re expecting.”